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What is a Home Energy
Rating System (HERS)?
It is a Nationally
recognize program that is an objective, standardized
evaluation of the energy efficiency of a home, compared to
a simulated reference house (same size and shape as
the rated home) that meets minimum energy code
requirements. This is performed by a Certified
third party Home Energy Rater.
What is a Home Energy
Rater?
A Home energy rater is
an Energy Specialist that provide energy-efficiency
strategies and tests for existing and new homes. Raters
input information from the plans or from site visit data
collection, into a specially designed computer simulation
program that estimate the annual energy use of both the
home's current characteristic and the IECC based reference
house. With this information, the HERS rater can determine
a HERS rating and an estimated annual energy use of the
home. Then the rater can make recommendations to the
homeowner or builder on how to make the home more energy
efficient, reach the ENERGY STAR threshold or higher
standards for green building programs like LEED for Homes
or NAHB Green Building Standards..
What is a HVAC System
Leakage Test?
Is a pressure test
where the duct system is tested for air leaks. The Duct
Testing fan (Duct Blaster®) is first connected to the duct
system at the air handler cabinet, or a return grille.
After temporarily sealing all remaining registers and
grills, the Duct Blaster fan is turned on to force air
through all holes and cracks in the ductwork. The fan
speed is increased until a standard test pressure is
achieved in the duct system. A precise leakage measurement
is then made using an airflow and pressure gauge connected
to the Duct Blaster system. Estimates of efficiency losses
from duct leakage can then be made from the leakage
measurements.
Leaks in forced air
duct systems are now recognized as a major source of
energy waste in both new and existing houses. Studies
indicate that duct leakage can account for as much as 25%
of total house energy loss, and in many cases has a
greater impact on energy use than air infiltration through
the building shell. Just as important, duct leakage can
prevent heating and cooling systems from doing their job
properly, resulting in hot or cold rooms, and humidity
problems. Worse yet, duct leaks can create air quality
problems by pulling pollutants and irritants directly into
the house.
What is a Air
Infiltration/Blower Door Test?
The Blower Door tests are used to
measure the airtightness level of building envelopes,
diagnose and demonstrate air leakage problems, estimate
natural infiltration rates, estimate efficiency losses
from building air leakage, and certify construction
integrity.
The Blower Door can
identify building envelope improvements that will reduce
energy use and increase comfort. Blower Door airtightness
measurements can also be used in HVAC equipment design and
sizing decisions, and to help estimate the need for
mechanical ventilation.
No. An ENERGY STAR
qualified new home actually costs less
because you will spend less on your new home's utility
bill each month. These energy savings can more than offset
any increase in mortgage payments needed for the improved
energy features and can result in a positive monthly cash
flow. Further, ENERGY STAR financing partners offer
special mortgage packages for buyers of ENERGY STAR
qualified new homes.
How will I know
if a home is labeled ENERGY STAR?
Look for the ENERGY
STAR label, which should be prominently displayed on the
circuit breaker box. You can also ask your builder for the
home's ENERGY STAR certificate. This optional certificate
indicates that the home has been verified to meet EPA's
ENERGY STAR qualified new homes performance guidelines.
What is a GREEN HOME?
A green home is a home
that takes into consideration not only the Energy
Efficiency aspect but also it considers the environmental
impact the home has on it environment. The basics for a
Green Homes are:
Energy Efficiency,
Water Efficiency, Site Selection, Resources and Materials
and Waste Management |
